Yonkers Education Group Welcomes New Class Of Scholars, Mentors

Yonkers Partners in Education, a group that uses mentors to help guide students through high school and prepare them for college and careers, recently celebrated its program and the young scholars who are in it.
Photo Credit: YPIE/Facebook

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YONKERS, N.Y. -- Excitement was in the air on a recent Tuesday night as Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE) welcomed 120 ninth-graders, their families, and 55 new mentors into its Scholars Program.

The organization said it launched the program in 2013 to prepare high school students for what comes after graduation -- college and careers.

The holiday kick-off event also celebrated the success and dedication of the program’s junior scholars and the 65 coaches who are committed to mentoring them to, and through, high school graduation.

Students themselves were pretty stoked about the opportunities the program affords.

“This program is meant for us, the students. We have to take advantage and truly appreciate what is being done for us,” said Yanerlis Perez, a Class of 2017 YPIE scholar.

Praising the mentors, YPIE’s director of high school programs Sam Wallis told students: “You have an advocate, a hero and a champion in your graduation coach.”

Students in the multifaceted program are required to attend an afterschool academic support and enrichment center, the YPIE College Zone, at least twice a week.

The College Zone curriculum incorporates homework help, Regents prep, academic support, 21st century skill development, and a SPARK initiative in which students are exposed to creative and innovative fields in an interactive way.

The program works closely with Yonkers schools to recruit students, schedule meetings between scholars and coaches during the school day, and to ensure student success.